How to Build Medieval Weapons Out of Wood

Long-Bladed Medieval Battle Ax

Until the late Middle Ages, gunpowder was rarely used on the battlefield. Weapons of war included swords and lances, backed up by bows and arrows. Battle axes could be used to devastating effect. Daggers were used to get in between the metal plates of armor. A battle ax and a dagger are in fact, simple medieval weapons that you can replicate out of wood.

Things You'll Need

• Dowel 30 inches long x 1 inch in diameter
• 1/4 Inch Thick Plywood 18 x 18 inches approx.
• Pencil
• Glue
• Circular Saw or manual cutting tool
• Sandpaper
• Wood Stain

Instructions

1. Draw a rough fan shape on the piece of plywood. The wide part of the fan should be 12 inches from top to bottom. The narrow portion should be 4 inches from top to bottom and completely straight. You are drawing the blade of your battle ax.

2. Cut out the blade of the battle ax. 3 inches from one end of the dowel, draw a line 4 inches long. Cut along this line to a depth of approximately 1/2 inch.

3. Place glue along the short, straight edge of the battle ax blade. Insert this edge into the slot on the dowel.

4. Press firmly into place. Let dry.

5. Sand the edge of the battle ax blade to smooth and give it the feel of a blade. Stain the entire piece to protect it.

6. Fashion a dagger by tracing two parallel lines 12 long and 2 inches apart on the piece of plywood. Connect the lines at one so that they form a point.

7. Make an upside down "T" at the other end of the pair of lines to form the hilt. Cut out all the lines of the dagger except the part of the "T" that actually crosses the 2 parallel lines.

8. Sand the edges of the dagger blade. Stain the dagger to protect it.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different shapes for the battle ax blade. The semicircle at the wide end can taper back to a narrow rectangular shape that would make the blade appear to project strongly from the handle. You can also make the blade crescent shaped or make decorative cut outs inside it. Make other medieval weapons by copying their design in wood.

• Do not swing your battle ax at people, animals, or fragile objects. Though made of wood, the blade can also cause injury. It is also possible that the blade could fly off if struck very hard.

Resources

• Medieval Collectibles replicas
• Guns, swords and medieval weapons
• Dowels, plywood and hardware